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China-Europe 'SMILE' satellite to launch in spring 2026

01:07

The European Space Agency (ESA) said the "SMILE" (Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) satellite, jointly developed with China, has completed all tests and is now in storage, awaiting launch. ESA Chief Scientist Carole Mundell said the satellite will be launched in April or May 2026 aboard a Vega-C rocket from French Guiana to study the interaction between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere. She praised the strong collaboration between Chinese and European teams and highlighted that the mission coincides with peak solar activity, offering ideal scientific conditions.

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